SaintA to Provide Treatment for New Program

04-18-14

Milwaukee, WI (4/18/14) — The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has selected SaintA to provide treatment in Functional Family Therapy (FFT) for a new program called Safe Milwaukee, which aims to reduce violent and delinquent behavior by youths.

The Milwaukee Police Department approached DCF about the program to address high-risk delinquent behavior, especially violence by youths, which is the second-leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 24 and the leading cause of death for youth of color.

A network of centers around the city, called the United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM), works with youth at highest risk of delinquent behavior. Therapy referrals will come from these centers, police, courts, public defenders and prosecutors. SaintA will train and support eight clinicians and a supervisor.

FFT is an evidence-based, short-term, behavior-oriented family therapy for at-risk 10-18-year-olds with chronic delinquency and severe behavioral problems. FFT has led to decreased delinquent behaviors, lower rates of drug and alcohol use, and reduced court referrals and arrests.

“We look forward to the potential of the SAFE Milwaukee project for creating change for youth, families and the community,” said Ann Leinfelder Grove, SaintA’s vice president of Strategy and Operations. “It is our privilege to be part of the journey.”

The program will run from this April to December 2015, serving 80-100 high-risk delinquents and their families.